The revolving door of state appointments has swung shut for one of Kenya’s most vocal unionists. In a decisive move that signals a tightening of the reins at the Treasury, Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has revoked the appointment of Wilson Sossion’s successor, Wilson Panyako, from the LAPF Board.

The revocation, contained in a special Gazette notice dated January 24, 2026, comes just months after Panyako’s appointment. While the official reason remains administrative, insiders point to a clash of ideologies between the outspoken Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) Secretary General and the fiscal discipline demanded by the Treasury.

A Clash of Titans

Wilson Panyako is no stranger to controversy. Known for his combative style and ability to paralyze the health sector with strikes, his presence on the Local Authorities Provident Fund (LAPF) board was always seen as a delicate balancing act.

• The Trigger: Sources suggest Panyako’s recent public criticism of the government’s delay in remitting statutory deductions may have crossed a red line. "You cannot sit at the table and throw stones at the host," remarked a senior Treasury official who sought anonymity.
• The Replacement: The CS has moved swiftly to fill the void, signaling that the government is prioritizing "team players" as it navigates a tricky fiscal year with a budget deficit hovering around KES 800 billion.

The Bigger Picture

This firing is more than just a personnel change; it is a message. As the Ruto administration doubles down on its economic turnaround strategy, tolerance for internal dissent—especially from board members of state corporations—is hitting an all-time low. For the thousands of county workers whose pensions are managed by LAPF, the hope is that this boardroom drama does not affect the safety of their retirement nest eggs. Panyako, true to form, has promised to "spill the beans" in a press conference later today.